Electrical door lock

ABSTRACT

An improved electrically actuated door lock is disclosed which comprises a frame in which a lockbolt is mounted for reciprocal movement along a path, the lockbolt being moved by a pivotally mounted cradle. The cradle has a lower portion mounted to the frame and the upper portion connected to the lockbolt and is acted upon by solenoids positioned on opposite sides of the cradle pivot. Actuation of one of the solenoids causes the cradle to pivot and move the lockbolt toward the side occupied by the actuated solenoid. When the lockbolt reaches the end of the path, the normally outwardly biased plunger of the non-actuated solenoid engages an aperture in the lockbolt to restrain the lockbolt in its position. Release of the lockbolt requires actuation of the restraining solenoid which pulls the plunger from the aperture, engages the cradle and moves the lockbolt in the opposite direction.

United States Patent [191 Wiczer et al.

[451 July 29, 1975 ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK [75] Inventors: Max Wiczer, Skokie; Vahram K.

Sarrafian, Morton Grove; Djordje R. Popovic, Chicago, all of I11.

[73] Assignee: Wico Corporation, Niles, Ill.

[22] Filed: May 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 468,451

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fitch, Even, Tabin & Luedeka [57] ABSTRACT An improved electrically actuated door lock is disclosed which comprises a frame in which a lockbolt is mounted for reciprocal movement along a path, the lockbolt being moved by a pivotally mounted cradle. The cradle has a lower portion mounted to the frame and the upper portion connected to the lockbolt and is acted upon by solenoids positioned on opposite sides of the cradle pivot. Actuation of one of the solenoids causes the cradle to pivot and move the lockbolt toward the side occupied by the actuated solenoid. When the lockbolt reaches the end of the path, the normally outwardly biased plunger of the nonactuated solenoid engages an aperture in the lockbolt to restrain the lockbolt in its position. Release of the lockbolt requires actuation of the restraining solenoid which pulls the plunger from the aperture, engages the cradle and moves the lockbolt in the opposite direction.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTED JUL 2 91975 ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK The present invention generally relates to locking devices, and more specifically, to electrically actuated door locks.

Electrically actuated door locks and latching mechanisms provide a convenient and effective way to control the opening of a door or the like from a remote location. While there are many different designs and types of electrically actuated locking mechanisms, the use of a solenoid as the driving force for actuating such locks is quite common. The type of operation of a lock can be important in terms of the size and capacity of the power source that is available to actuate it, particularly if the lock is used on a vehicle, such as a truck or the like. Thus, it may be important that electrical energy or power only be expended during initial actuation and not be used to hold the lockbolt or latch in either its locked or unlocked position. In the event the lock is used to secure the rear doors of a truck, for example, it is also desirable to have a door lock which will stay in its locked or unlocked position and only require energy to lock or unlock the mechanism.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved electrically actuated door lock of the type that has a reciprocating lockbolt and which requires the expenditure of energy only during movement between locked and unlocked positions.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a door lock embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and,

FIGS. 3a3c are fragmentary plan views of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and particularly illustrating the door lock in different operating positions.

Turning now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, the door lock mechanism embodying the present invention, indicated generally at 10, is shown to be a selfcontained unit that is adapted to be applied to a door or a frame or the like for cooperative engagement with a keeper plate that may be placed on either side of it.

The door lock includes a frame 12 to which the internal components are attached and includes side walls 14 and 16 which are preferably integrally formed with the back portion from sheet steel or the like of suitable thickness. A sheet metal cover 18 may be provided to protect the interior components from the accumulation of dirt, grime or the like and preferably includes end portions, such as the illustrated lower end portion 20 which has a relatively small aperture 22 therein to permit passage of electrical conductors (not shown). Each of the frame side walls 14 and 16 have a rectangular opening 24 adapted to receive a lockbolt 26 having a similarly shaped cross-sectional area so that the lockbolt may be reciprocated therein, with the openings 24 guiding the movement along a horizontal path as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The length of the lockbolt 26 should be such that it does not escape the confines of either of the openings 24 and should have a sufficiently long extension beyond the side wall to adequately cooperatively engage a keeper plate or the like. In this regard, and referring to FIGS. 3a and 3c, it should be understood that the keeper plate may be positioned on either the left or right sides of the lock 10.

From the foregoing description, it should be generally understood that the door lock frame 12 need only be suitably bolted or otherwise attached to a structure to be locked and that a suitable keeper plate be attached to the other, preferably movable, door. The door lock 10 may be attached to a movable portion, provided that suitable allowance is made for the presence of electrical conductors which will extend from the door lock to a suitable control switch and power source for operating the door lock. By selectively controlling the electrical switch, the lockbolt 26 can be moved from its extreme leftward position shown in FIG. 3a to its extreme rightward position shown in FIG. 3c, with these opposite positions either locking or unlocking the lockbolt 26 relative to its associated keeper plate which has not been illustrated.

To move the lockbolt 26, a pair of solenoids 32 and 34 contained within a solenoid housing 30 and having respective plungers 36 and 38 are provided. The solenoid 32, when actuated, causes the lockbolt 26 to move to the leftward position shown in FIG. 3a, while operation of the solenoid 34 causes the lockbolt to move toward the right to the position shown in FIG. 3c. Each of the solenoids within the housing 30 have electrical terminals 40 for connection to a control switch in the power supply circuit. The switch is preferably a momentary contact switch that may energize either of the solenoids 32 or 34 to either apply or release the lockbolt as desired. Thus, assuming that the position of the lockbolt 26 shown in FIG. 1 is in the locked position, i.e., the extension of the lockbolt beyond the frame side wall 16 is toward the right and engaging a suitable keeper plate at that position, actuation of the solenoid 32 would move the lockbolt to the left and unlock the door or the like, while actuation of the solenoid 34 would lock the door.

The lockbolt 26 is moved by the solenoids 32 and 34 acting upon a cradle or lever member, indicated generally at 42, which has a generally truncated triangular shape as shown by the front plan view of FIG. 1 and a U-shape as viewed from either end as best shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, the cradle 42 has truncated triangular shaped front and back walls 44 and 46 connected by a bridge portion 48. The cradle or lever member 42 is pivotable around a pin 50 that is secured to the base of the frame 12, it being noted that the eradle pivot is near the bridge portion 48 of the cradle 42. A connecting pin 52 extends through the lockbolt 26 and rides in an upwardly open slot 54 in each of the side walls 44 and 46 and thereby links the cradle to the lockbolt so that pivoting the cradle around the pin 50 will cause the lockbolt 26 to be reciprocated along its path.

The slot 54 in the front and back walls 44 and 46 of the cradle 42 permits relative movement between the connecting pin 52 and the cradle, inasmuch as rotation of the cradle will also produce a vertical component of travel relative to the lockbolt. Although the embodiment illustrated shows an open slot 54, a suitable oversized aperture may be acceptable, although the looseness of the cradle relative to the lockbolt would be exaggerated if an oversized aperture is used. The connecting pin 52 extends through an aperture in the lockbolt 26 and preferably has washers 56 and 58 located adjacent the outside surfaces of the front and back walls 44 and 46 and a generally C-shaped spring washer 60 engaging an annular groove for holding the connecting pin and washers in place. Additionally, it is pre' ferred that the connecting pin 52 have a rearward extension 62 for contacting a pair of spaced stop members 64 and 66 to limit the length of travel of the lockbolt along its path. This prohibits the connecting pin 52 from escaping from the open slot 54 and also limits the travel of the lockbolt 26 so that neither end can pass beyond the frame sidewalls 14 or 16.

In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, each of the plungers 36 and 38 are constructed to act upon the cradle 42 as well as upon the lockbolt 26. Each of the plungers has a generally domeshaped flange 70 having a lower surface for retaining a spring 72 which normally biases the plunger upwardly toward the lockbolt 26. The plunger has a portion 74 of reduced diameter relative to the dome-shaped flange and another flange 76 located generally midway between the dome-shaped flange 70 and an end portion 78 which is also of a diameter approximately equal to the reduced diameter portion 74. As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bridge portion 48 of the cradle 42 has an open slot 82 located on each end thereof in which the reduced diameter portion 74 of the plungers are positioned. This enables the annular flange 76 to act on the bridge portion 48 of the cradle 42 when the solenoid is actuated. Additionally, the bridge portion 48 acts upon the domed flange 70 immediately after it has been actuated, as shown for the plunger 38 in FIG. 1, for example. Thus, actuation of the solenoid 32 when the doorlock is in the position shown in FIG. 1, will cause the plunger 36, to be moved downwardly so that the annular flange 76 will engage the left side of the bridge portion 48 of the cradle 42 and pivot the cradle around the pivot pin 50 causing the upper connecting pin 52 to move the lockbolt 26 toward the left until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 3a. Similarly, activation of the plunger 34 will pivot the cradle 42 in a clockwise direction around the pin 50 and cause the lockbolt 26 to be moved to its rightward position shown in FIGS. 1 and 30.

In addition to moving the lockbolt 26 when the ap- 1 propriate solenoid is actuated, the solenoid plungers also operate to lock the lockbolt 26 in the fully extended left or right position. Thus, activation of one of the solenoids causes the lockbolt to move in the appropriate direction and the other plunger is adapted to restrain the lock bolt when it has reached its fully extended position. Thus, the two solenoids act in combination to move as well as lock or restrain the lockbolt after it has been moved.

To hold or retain the lockbolt 26 in its fully extended position and referring to FIG. 1, the lockbolt contains left and right apertures 86 and 88 in the bottom surface at a predetermined distance from the ends. The apertures 86 and 88 are adapted to receive the end of the plungers 36 and 38, respectively, when the lockbolt is in the corrected respective position. As shown in FIG. energization of the solenoid 34 causes the lockbolt 26 to be moved to its extreme right position and when in that position, the plunger 36 has its end portion 78 in alignment with the aperture 86 and is urged into the aperture by the force of the spring 72. This effectively holds the lockbolt in the position shown until the solenoid 32 is activated. Activation of the solenoid 32 will cause it to retract the plunger 36, i.e., move it downwardly as shown in the drawings until it contacts the cradle 42, pivots it counterclockwise around the pin 50 to move the lockbolt 26 to the left. As it approaches the end of its travel along the horizontal path, the end portion 78 of the plunger 38 will enter the aperture 88 and will lock it in the position shown in FIG. 3a. When the lockbolt is intermediate the extreme left and right positions, (the intermediate position being shown in FIG. 3b merely for the purpose of illustration), neither of the apertures 86 nor 88 is aligned with the plungers 36 and 38, and the lockbolt is not held or locked in place and can be moved either left or right as desired.

Since the ends 78 of the plungers 36 hold the lockbolt in place when one of them is inserted into an aperture, any horizontal force applied to the lockbolt would place severe stress on the solenoid tending to bend the plunger relative to the housing 30. Since this is undesirable, the lock 10 is provided with a support guide 90 which has end portions 92 and 94 secured to the respective frame side walls 14 and 16 by bolts or the like. The support guide 90 has a pair of apertures 98 through which the ends 78 of the plungers pass and which provide relief against horizontally applied stress that would otherwise tend to bend the plungers of the solenoids.

From the foregoing, it should be understood that a door lock that is compact, reliable and strong has been shown and described which can be easily installed. The door lock can be used with keeper plates on either side of the unit and is particularly adapted for use in motor vehicles and the like where a constant drain on the battery or other power source is undesirable. The present invention requires only a short duration expenditure of energy to actuate one of the solenoids, with the lockbolt being locked in either its left or right extended position.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications, substitutions and alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and accordingly, the scope of the invention should only be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

I. An electrically actuated mechanism for use in locking doors and the like, comprising:

a frame having side walls with at least one aperture therein for receiving a lockbolt;

a lockbolt mounted for reciprocal movement along a path and extending through at least one of said side wall apertures for cooperative interaction with a keeper plate or the like, said lockbolt being movable between first and second positions along said path;

lever means having one end portion pivotally mounted to said frame, said lever means being connected to said lockbolt so that pivoting said lever means moves said lockbolt between first and second positions;

first and second electrically actuated solenoids, each having plungers engaging said lever means whereby actuation of one of said solenoid causes said lever means to move said lockbolt to said first position, and actuation of the other solenoid causing said lever means to move said lockbolt to said second position;

said lockbolt having at least one locking aperture adapted to receive the end portion of one of said solenoid plungers and thereby restrain said lockbolt from movement until said one solenoid is actuated.

2. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said solenoids has a plunger that is retracted when said solenoid is actuated, each of said plungers having a spring means biasing said plunger toward its outwardly extended position.

3. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said lockbolt is mounted for reciprocal movement within apertures in both of said side walls.

4. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said lockbolt has a locking aperture for each of said solenoid plungers so that one of the plungers restrains said lockbolt in said first position and the other restrains said lockbolt in said second position.

5. A mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein actuation of said one solenoid moves said lockbolt to said first position and the other solenoid plunger enters its associated lockbolt aperture to restrain said lockbolt in said first position. 6. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a generally flat back portion and integrally formed opposed side walls, said frame having at least one stop means attached thereto for contacting said lever means and precluding movement thereof beyond said first and second positions.

71. A meelianism as defined in claim 4 including a guide support attaehed to said frame and having an aper'ture therein adapted to receive the end of each of said plungers.

8. An electrically actuated door lock for cooperative engagement with a keeper plate or the like, comprising:

a frame structure having opposed side walls, at least one of the side walls having an aperture for receiving a lockbolt therein;

a lockbolt mounted for reciprocal movement along a path and extendable beyond at least one of said side walls into locking position for engagement with the keeper plate;

lever means cooperatively secured to said frame and being rotatable around a pivot near the lower portion thereof, the upper portion being attached to said lockbolt so that in selective rotation of said lever means causes said lockbolt to move along its path;

first and second electrically actuated means having retractable plungers and positioned on opposite sides and adapted to contact said lever means and cause said lever means to move said lockbolt along said path between said locking position and a re tracted position;

said lockbolt having an aperture for each of said plungers, one of said plungers being insertable into its cooperative aperture to hold said lockbolt in said locking position, the other of said plungers being insertable in the other aperture to hold said lockbolt in the retracted position.

'9. A door lock as defined in claim 8 including spring means for biasing said plungers outwardly toward said lockbolt so that the ends thereof penetrate said aperture when said aperture is aligned to receive the plunger.

10. A door lock as defined in claim 8 including a guide support adjacent the lower surface of said lockbolt and having an aperture aligned with each of said plungers adapted to pass said plungers therethrough and provide resistance to lateral movement of said plungers.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,897,093

DATED I July 29 1975 lN\/ ENTOR(S) Max Wiczer, et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and Thai said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 18, insert "96" after the word "bolts".

Column 6, Claim 8, line 8, delete the word "in Signed and Scaled this fourth Day of November 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (mnmissr'mrer oj'latents and Trademarks 

1. An electrically actuated mechanism for use in locking doors and the like, comprising: a frame having side walls with at least one aperture therein for receiving a lockbolt; a lockbolt mounted for reciprocal movement along a path and extending through at least one of said side wall apertures for cooperative interaction with a keeper plate or the like, said lockbolt being movable between first and second positions along said path; lever means having one end portion pivotally mounted to said frame, said lever means being connected to said lockbolt so that pivoting said lever means moves said lockbolt between first and second positions; first and second electrically actuated solenoids, each having plungers engaging said lever means whereby actuation of one of said solenoid causes said lever means to move said lockbolt to said first position, and actuation of the other solenoid causing said lever means to move said lockbolt to said second position; said lockbolt having at least one locking aperture adapted to receive the end portion of one of said solenoid plungers and thereby restrain said lockbolt from movement until said one solenoid is actuated.
 2. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said solenoids has a plunger that is retracted when said solenoid is actuated, each of said plungers having a spring means biasing said plunger toward its outwardly extended position.
 3. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said lockbolt is mounted for reciprocal movement within apertures in both of said side walls.
 4. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said lockbolt has a locking aperture for each of said solenoid plungers so that one of the plungers restrains said lockbolt in said first position and the other restrains said Lockbolt in said second position.
 5. A mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein actuation of said one solenoid moves said lockbolt to said first position and the other solenoid plunger enters its associated lockbolt aperture to restrain said lockbolt in said first position.
 6. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a generally flat back portion and integrally formed opposed side walls, said frame having at least one stop means attached thereto for contacting said lever means and precluding movement thereof beyond said first and second positions.
 7. A mechanism as defined in claim 4 including a guide support attached to said frame and having an aperture therein adapted to receive the end of each of said plungers.
 8. An electrically actuated door lock for cooperative engagement with a keeper plate or the like, comprising: a frame structure having opposed side walls, at least one of the side walls having an aperture for receiving a lockbolt therein; a lockbolt mounted for reciprocal movement along a path and extendable beyond at least one of said side walls into locking position for engagement with the keeper plate; lever means cooperatively secured to said frame and being rotatable around a pivot near the lower portion thereof, the upper portion being attached to said lockbolt so that in selective rotation of said lever means causes said lockbolt to move along its path; first and second electrically actuated means having retractable plungers and positioned on opposite sides and adapted to contact said lever means and cause said lever means to move said lockbolt along said path between said locking position and a retracted position; said lockbolt having an aperture for each of said plungers, one of said plungers being insertable into its cooperative aperture to hold said lockbolt in said locking position, the other of said plungers being insertable in the other aperture to hold said lockbolt in the retracted position.
 9. A door lock as defined in claim 8 including spring means for biasing said plungers outwardly toward said lockbolt so that the ends thereof penetrate said aperture when said aperture is aligned to receive the plunger.
 10. A door lock as defined in claim 8 including a guide support adjacent the lower surface of said lockbolt and having an aperture aligned with each of said plungers adapted to pass said plungers therethrough and provide resistance to lateral movement of said plungers. 